British soccer child sex scandal 'widespread'

US Ebola patients sent home

Dr Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, two American missionaries who contacted the Ebola virus, have been released from hospital.

"God saved my life, a direct answer to thousands and thousands of prayers," Dr Brantly said, looking thin but otherwise healthy as he smiled and held hands with his wife. "I am thrilled to be alive, to be well and to be reunited with my family."

Ms Writebol was released on Tuesday, and did not appear at a press conference with Brantly. Her release was not announced earlier this week because she had requested privacy and did not want details of her medical condition to be made public, doctors said.

No risk ... Discharged Ebola patient Dr Kent Brantly gives a hug to Dr Bruce Ribner at the end of press conference after being discharged from Emory Hospital in Atlanta. Photo: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

There is no drug or vaccine for Ebola, which can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and fatal organ failure and system-wide hemorrhage.

It is transmitted by close contact with bodily fluids, putting healthcare workers, loved ones and those who kiss or touch bodies during funeral rites at particular risk.

Discharged from Emory Hospital on Tuesday ... missionary Nancy Writebol (left) with her husband David at an undisclosed location. Photo: Reuters

Both Dr Brantly and Ms Writebol patients were given an experimental treatment called ZMapp. However, the drug is in short supply and doctors have stressed they have no way of knowing if it helped the patients recover or not.

They were flown to Emory University Hospital for treatment three weeks ago.

"The discharge from the hospital of both these patients poses no public health threat," said Dr Bruce Ribner, director of Emory's Infectious Disease Unit.

The World Health Organisation said two more doctors and one nurse in Liberia have now received ZMapp.

"The nurse and one of the doctors show a marked improvement. The condition of the second doctor is serious but has improved somewhat," said a statement from the organisation.

Dr Brantly had also received a blood transfusion in Liberia from a boy who had recovered from Ebola virus.

Dr Ribner said the effects of that treatment are unclear.

Dr Brantly said he now plans to retreat from the public eye to spend some time with his family.

"After I have recovered a little more and regained some of my strength, we will look forward to sharing more of our story; but for now, we need some time together after more than a month apart," he said.